Phonograph



R. DALLY PHONOGRAPH July 25, 1939.

Filed Feb.' 18, 1958 4 SheetS-Sheet 3 fzzz/ezzaz". JMJ@ @@azgm 05 I i' x JZ Q 3.5

R. DALLY PHONOGRAPH I vFiled Feb. 18, 138

' a@ 57 f5' Q. 102

July 25, 1939.

Patented July 25, w3@

F'EENF y grosses enonoonarn Roy Bailly, Racine, Wis., assigner to Webster Electric Company, Racine, Wis.. 'a corpora-.tion

of Wisconsin Y Apptication February lle, 193%, Serial No. 191,175

1B (Staines.

and -with better effect than the devices of the prior art.

One of the objects of the invention isthe provision of an improved phonograph which is semiautomatic in that the mere movement of' the phonograph housing cover is adapted to actuate the tone arm and move it into proper position for the playing of a new record, thereby reducing the manual motions which are necessary in the playing of the phonograph and eliminating the handling of the phonograph.

Another object is the provision of an improved phonograph which is so constructed that when the cover of the phonograph-housing is lifted the motor board or turntable is cleared automatically so that `the records can be picked up readily.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved phonographv which is adapted to' be handled by unskilled operators and which results-in-lessdamage to the records. It is particularly adapted to be used with ease by blind people.

Another object is the provision of an improved phonograph construction which may be manu-l factured more cheaply than the devices of the prior art and which may,l therefore, be placed within the means of a larger number of the public so as to benefit potential users of the phonograph.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved phonograph construction in which it is easier to change the needie,'as the pick-up is already supported in proper position for receiving the needle, and in which the tone arm is s o arranged that it permits the tracking of the needle in a direction which is within three degrees of a tangent to the record groove throughout the range of the grooved portion of the record.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an'improved phonograph construction which maybe embodied in simpler constructions by omitting some of the renements thereof as described therein, and some of the features of which also lend itself to use in automatic phonograph mechanisms by means of the pivotal support of the tone arm on a frame instead of a cover. z

Anotherobject is the provision of an improved phonograph tone arm mechanism in which the tone arm is automatically located for engagement with the starting groove of either a twelve inch or a ten inch record; or, if the record has no starting groove, it is automatically located in that portion of the grooved record just before the beginnner of the music or other recording.

Another object is the provision of an improvedV phonograph tone arm mechanism adapted to locate the tone arm and placeitv on the recordl in proper position, the mechanism havingv means for adjustment for use withleither of two difierent sizes of records.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring 'to the four sheets of drawings accompanying the specication,

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a phonograph constructed according to the present'invention;

Fig. 2 is a' full sized'view of the tone arm of Fig, 1, with its supporting mechanism, the toner arm being shown in full line position, ready for playing of another record, and in dotted line positionafter it has just nished playing a record, the View being taken .from the bottom of the cover of Fig. 1

In Fig. 2 the mechanism is adjusted for a ten inch record.

Fig. 3 is asimilar view, in which the tone arm is shown in the same two positions and the mech-- anisn is adjusted for use on a twelve inch record;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the tone arm mechaism, taken on a plane parallel to the cover, and locatedjust below the cover of the phono- 'graph housing, with the mechanism adjusted for use on a ten inch record;

Fig. 5 is a similar view, with the mechanism adjusted for use on a twelve inchvrecord; Y Fig. 6 is a fragmentary full sized sectional view, taken on a vertical plane, passing through the axis of the turntable shaft and showing the tone arm mechanism in elevation;

Fig. 'I is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 1-1 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows, 'showing the details of consti-potion of the pivotal arrangement` for the tone arm;

Y Fig. 8 is a. fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 8-8 of Fig. 4,' looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the arrangementsv forv automatically locating the tone arm in proper position to register with the grooved portion of a record which it should engage, just before the start ofthe recorded sound;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view,

taken on the plane of the line 9 9 of Fig. 5,

looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the mechanism for changing the adjustment of the tone arm for use with records of different size, such as ten inch or twelve inch;

Fig.A 10 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the plane of the line |0--I0 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of',the arrows,'showing the mode of support of the crystal pick-up unit on the tone arm;

Fig. 1l is a wiring diagram for an electric phonograph embodying the invention; and Fig. 12 is a fragmentary elevational view of the mechanism for holding the cover in elevated position.

Referring to Fig. 1, 20 indicates in its entirety the phonograph, which may be provided with a conventional box-like housing 2|, having a cover member 22 pivotally mounted on hinges 23 and utilized to cover the record and tone arm while it is playing, to lessen the noise which results from the action of the needle on the record.

It is well known that it is desirable to close the cover of the phonograph after the record has been started and the tone arm has its needle properly placed, tracking in the groove of the record.

Referring to Fig. 6, the phonograph housing 2| preferably includes the partition 24 enclosing the driving motor, and the other mechanism which is located below the turntable 25. The turntable is mounted for rotation with the drive shaft, from which it may be removed by merely lifting the turntable from the shaft.

The driving surface between the turntable and the shaft 26 is provided by means of the hub 21, having a lower at surface 28, which engages the resilient rubber washer 29 that is supported upon a circular plate 30, which is iixedly secured to the shaft 26.

It should be understood that the present invention is embodied in phonographs having springwound motors, as well as those having electric motors, but the invention is of particular importance when utilized in connection with an electric motor-driven phonograph which is adapted to be controlled 'by electric switches, and which is provided with suitable thermionic amplifying means or circuits for amplifying the electromotive forces which are generated by the pick-up unit, and the aperture shown at 32 in the partition 24 is for the reception of a suitable thermionic tube. f

The switch actuating member seen `at 3|' and the switch 3| is for controlling the starting and stopping of the phonograph which is preferably provided withv anv alternating current motor, and

l circuits may be made by those skilled in the art.

. The turntable 25 has the usual cloth covering 33. and, as illustrated in Fig-s. '1 and 6, bears a ten inch record 34. The phonograph mechanism inearing a reproducer or crystal picktaneously by means of the switch 3|, which controls both the amplifying circuits and the phonographic motor, and starts the turntable rotating.

The pick-up unit is preferably of the type disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 186,049, illed January 21, 1938. and it is connected by the insulated electrical conductors in the Acable 31 with the circuit, as shown in the diagram Fig. 11.

It should be understood, however, that any type of reproducer orpick-up may be utilized, such as an electromagnetic pick-up or any of the reproducers vof the prior art. The crystal pick-up described inmy priorY applicationy is of particular importance in this connection 'because it is so small that it does not interfere with the other -parts of the mechanism'or supporting structure,

and is of a minimum weight and adapted to be mounted for substantially tangential tracking on the structure to bedescribed.

'Ihis pick-up unit is illustrated in section in Fig. 10, and it comprises the complementary half housing members 38, 39 of soft resilient and flexibie rubber which enclose and secure the crystal .of Rochelle salts, and also mount the chuck,

which-is connected to the crystal in such manner as to permit its torsional movement responsive to the actuation by the needle 40.

The complete disclosure of the crystal pick-up unit of my prior applicationA is hereby incorporated by reference thereto,

Asshown in Fig. 10, the rubber halves of the housing are shielded and enclosed in the magnetic metal outer housing of electromagnetic metal 4|, 42, the parts of which are secured together by a suitabletubular rivet 43. This makes a crystal unit, having plane rectangular sides, which ts between the downwardly extending flanges 44, 45 on the tone arm and may be securedv in place by a bolt 46, having a threaded bore and a screw bolt 4l threaded into it, the bolts passing through registering vapertures in the flanges 44, 45, and the l crystal unit, and the heads engaging the flanges. Two sets-of such bolts, as shown in Fig. 6, rmly secure the crystal unit against rotation, with its needle projecting downward and backward in proper position tolengage the record 33.

The tone arm assembly is preferably mounted on the cover 22, but in some embodiments ofthe invention the supporting member 22 may not necessarily consist of a cover, but it may consist of a separate pivotal frame which is connected to the cover by linkage.

When the tone arm assembly is secured to the' cover, it is adapted to be automatically lifted from the record by the lifting of the cover, and placed back onv the recordby the closing of the cover.

As the acts of lifting and closing lthe cover are, manual acts, which areusually necessary and iny cident to the operation of the phonograph, it is of great advantage to utilize these acts for performing the other operations of lifting the tone arm and putting the tone arm back in properA position. This reduces the number of manual op.

erations' necessary to the operation of the phonograph, permits the operator to change records or replay a record very quickly, and makes the phonograph particularly adaptable for use by blind persons, as they do not have to feel for the tone arm and manipulate it, nor do they have to aieaeae sleeves 52 and the heads of the wooden screws- 56, in spaced relation to the lower side of the cover 22 and in proper position to hold the tonej arm and other parts. rihle plate 5@ is bounded by a lat edge 53 at the rear side of the phono- 'graph because that edge is adjacent the rear wall ci the cover, and it is desirable to locate the tone arm in that position,

rihe right edge 5d in Fig. l is curved along the line of a circle, the center oi" which is located at the point or screw 55, which is the point of pivotal support of the tone arm 35, because the curved edge 5t is then provided with suicient clearance with respect to the pick-up unit 35, so that it can pivot freely about the axis. 55, without hitting the plate 5c. The other edge 58 is given a curve similar to 5B, in order to make the plate symmetrical, and thus the same plate might be used for left hand or right hand tone arm arrangements, although the arrangement shown with the tone arm at the right in Fig. l is the only one used, due to the usual direction of rotation of the turntable 25, which is in a clockwise direction.

The tone arm 35 comprises a sheet metal member, .which may be formed byl stamping and welding operations, and the shape of the arm 35 is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. straight portion 5l extending from its vertical axis at the screw 55, an elbow 58, and another straight portion 59 extending from the elbow to the pick-up unit 38. This curved form of tone arm permits the location of the vertically extending axis for the tone arm in such manner that there is substantially tangential tracking of the needle in the groove of the record 8l between the inner and outer grooves of the groove elements of the record.

Tangential tracking can be achieved within about three degrees over the Afull range of the record, and of course at one point on the record there is perfect tangential tracking. By tangential tracking I mean that the projection of the axis of the needle on the plane of the record will produce a line which is tangential to the circle of a groove on the record. This projection of,

the axis of the needle will produce a. line because the needle is disposedpat an angle with its end extending backward with respect to the direction of its drag on the record. v

Referring to Fig. 6, it will be observed'that the depending anges 88, 85 on the tone arm 35 are carried by horizontal nanges 60, 8|. These angle members 84, 68, and 88, 8| may be secured to the dat metal plate, which comprises the body of the tone arm 85, by spot weldingy the anges 88, 8l to the tone arm plate 8B. The OPDOSite end of the Atone arm has a 'pair of upwardly turned pivoted supporting flanges 82, 88, which are provided with threaded bores 84, 88 for receiving the slotted screw bolts 88, 81.

\ These vscrew bolts are provided with conical pointed ends 88, 88, and 'are adapted to serve as the lhorizontal pivot for the tone arm. The flanges. 82,88 are resilient, and the screw bolts 88, 81 are secured in place when threaded into The arm has al the bores 88, G by loci: nuts 1d. The tone arm has an emerged aperture 'it located in its body, surrounding the pivoted post i2, and having such va clearance with the post that the pivotal move- `used to support a tubular bearing member i3,

which is provided with a reduced cylindrical end lid and with a threaded bore l5. The screw 55 is threaded into the bore i5 and clamps the annular shoulder llt against the upper side of the plate 5B in Fig. 7, thus xedly securing the tubular bearing member i3 to the plate d@ with its axis at right angles thereto. The pivoted post 'l2 comprises another sleeve, which is slidably and rotatably mounted on the bearing member 13, and is provided with a pair oi aligned apertures l1, it located on a diameter of the sleeve it and of. such size that the outer edges oi the apertures i?, F8 engage the rrusto-conical surfaces tti, it at the end of the screws Se, dll'.

A spring washer 'i9 taires up the play between the end of the sleeve l2, thrust bearings provided by the plate 59, and a sheet metal connector dd..

The sheet metal connector it may comprise a steel strip having an eye di at one end to facilitate the attachment of the wire d2, and having a lock washer 83 formed at the other end and secured in place by screw bolt ed threaded into the bore 15,' Thus the tone arm is adapted to. pivot on an axis which is vertical when the cover is down, by virtue of the sliding movement on sleeve i2 on bearing 18, and it may pivot on a horizontal axis, by virtue ofthe movement ofthe conical ends of screws t6, 51 in apertures "ii, it.

The spring washer id forces the sleeve 'i2 up against the lower surface of the lock washer oonnector 88. The conductor cable 333 from 'the pick-up unit 88 passes through an aperture at ed unit and needle 38 properly located to begin playin g on either a ten inch orA a twelve inch record, I prefer to provide the tone arm with an adjustable stop member, indicated in its entirety by the numeral 85 (Fig. 9). This stop member comprises a soft rubber tube or sleeve 8b, which is mounted on a pin 81, extending at right angles to the supporting plate 50 (Fig. 9), but which is actually movably mounted on the plate 59 by means of y a hand lever 88.

The hand lever 88 comprises a sheet metal member, having an outwardly turned end 89 for engagement with the lingers and having a pair of apertures 88, 8|. The aperture 9| is used to .support the lever 88 for pivotal movement on a screw boit 92, which also passes through a washer 88 and is threaded into a bore 8l and secured therein by lock nut 85.

The aperture 98 is used to receive the screw bolt 98, which is threaded into a threaded bore 81 in the pin 81 in such manner that the end of the pin 81 is clamped tightly against the lever 88 and ilxedly secured thereto. l

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be observed that the plate sl is provided with an arcuate slot sa, and

when the lever 88 rotates on the axis provided by the screw v82, the lower part of the pin 81, that is, the cylindrical portion 88, moves in the arcuate slot 88. The pin 88 also has outwardly projecting annular flange |88, which is adapted to engage the end of the rubber sleeve 88 and to act as a. thrust bearing, slidably engaging the lower surface of plate so, thus reinforcing the pm s1 and lever 88 against the lateral thrust which `istone arm in position to engage the beginningfof aten inch record, and when the stop 85 is at Vthe other end oi the 'arcuate slot 88 it is located to stop the tone arm in position to engage a twelve inch record at the starting groove.

The right hand position oi the lever 88, as.

shown in Fig. l, is the position for a ten inch record, and the left hand position, or that shown in Fig. 3, for the lever 88, is the position for a twelve inch record. Ten inch and twelve inch records are most frequently used for phonographs of this type, but I desire it .to be understood that the present movable stop arrangement may be constructed to be used with any size of record, and it may have intermediate or other positions in which to hold the tone arm for a` plurality of records of diierentsizes.

The lever A88 is retained in its pror position by gravity, since, as shown in Fig. 2, the weight lifted, and the tone'arm falls by gravity to-the position of Fig. 1, from which I shall startto describe its operation.

The tone arm has an upwardly turned ange |02 for engaging the stop member 85, and the stop member 85 is in proper position for the type of record which the operator desires tol play, that.

- pivots on the screws 85, B1 toward the plate 50 until the point |08 of the rubber stop member drops into the socket H0. The tone arm can then not swing backward or get out of its proper position for engaging the record.d The needle thenA engages the smooth portion of the record,

where there are no grooves, adjacent the periphery f the record, and there is a minimum amount of 'friction between the smooth part of the record and the needle,

As the cover goes downward, the tone arm, which is supported by a suitable stop member against the plate 50, moves'with it, being constantly held in the position of Fig. l, until the needle vengages the record, which is at a point just before the cover engages the box 2|. As the,

cover goes down to'engage the top oi' the box 2|, the engagement of the needle withv the record lifts the tone arm from engagement with the plate 50 so that the tone arm Lis then freely supported for pivotal movement on a horizontal-axis and a vertical axis in position to play, with the needle engaging the record.v

In some embodiments of the invention the records may be provided with a starting groove, into which the needle naturally tracks, irrespective-of its position at the edge of the record, within a certain range; that is. the needle does not have to be aicaosc located then at an accurate distance from the edge of the record because thestarting groove v carries it into the beginning of the recording. Assuming that such a record is used, then the phonography will playV until it reaches the end of the record, lwhen the cessation of the reproduction of the sound, such as music or conversation, will indicate to the user that the record has been iinished, or the phonograph may be .provided with a suitable stop mechanism at the end of the record for turning of! the motor. In either event, the tone arm will then have reached the dotted line position of Fig. 2 or Fig. 3, which shows the tone arm as seen from'the bottom of the'cover,y with 'the'y cover down. It is only necessary then sition with respect to the record, moves upward with the cover, andthe free end of the tone armv tends to drop, the opposite erld'being pivotally supported at. 55, so that it cannot drop. The tone arm then drops vby gravity from the position 'shown in dotted lines inFig. 2 to the position shown in full lines; that is, the position shown in Fig. l, simultaneously with the lifting of the cover.

It will be observed that the mere lifting of the cover automatically moves the tone arm from the position which it has at the completion of the record `to the proper position for beginning a new record. The lowering of the coverv automatically places the tone arm on the record, and it is only necessary, therefore, to energize the phonograph o r start the turntable, place a record on it, and

\ lower the cover.

When it is.des'ired to replay a record, it isonly necessary to lift the cover until the tone arm drops, and lower the cover again; and for this purpose the cover"need not be lifted until the supporting lever' |03 catchea'but need only be lir'tedpart way. I [t is virtually unnecessary to do anything more than to lift the cover, change records, and lower the cover when the turntable is already rotating. All of the other manual operations incident to the actuation of phonographs of the prior art are eliminated.

Where records are not provided withv starting grooves, and where it is desired to locate more accurately the needle Vwith respect to the grooves which represent the beginning of reproduction on the record, it is desirable to provide more accurate means for locating the tone arm at the beginning of the record.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the tone arm is provided' with a supporting and aligning member, which may comprise a soft, resilient and ilexible rubber member |04, shown in Fig. 8. The member |04 is made of resilient rubber and has a cylindrical upper portion |05, a Il reduced cylindrical portion |06, a head |01, which is substantially conical in shape, and provided with a rounded point |08. 'I'he member |04 is secured to the tone arm in an aperture |08 by Y having its head |0`|` compressed as it is forced .through the aperture, so that the point |08 is disposed on the lower side of the tone arm. The point |08 then comprises the supporting arrangement for the tone arm, which supports the tone arm against the plate 50, while the cbver is being lowered, and until the needle hits the record.

The plate 50 is provided with an aperture or socket ||0 for each size of record, the aperture ||0 in Fig. 8 being for the twelve inch record, and the aperture ||.|v being for the ten inch record. These apertures have tapered or frusta-Vl conical or countersunk upper portions I I2, which facilitate' the guiding of the point-i638 into the socket lidi iii, and the apertures lit, ill are located so-that the needle will be deposited on the smooth and ungrooved part of the record.

The tone arm is also preferably provided with a spring M3, Which-may be made of resilient steel wire, and which has a relatively long projecting arm lill for engaging the stop member 85. The arm i Ml has a relatively backward curve so that its curved'portion engages the stop niember B5, whether the stop member is at one or the other of its positions in the arcuate slot 9B.

The. spring member EIS extends longitudinally of the straight `portion 5l of the tone arm to screw i i5, which is threaded into a threaded bore in the tone arm.

The spring is wound on'ce around the screw l iii, and then extends backward by means of the portion i it, and it has a downwardly turned end il?, which is secured in an aperture H8 in the tone arm. rl'he initial shape o'f the spring is such that it tends to move the tone arm away from the stop member 35, but the spring is not strong enough to support the weight of the to-ne arm, and when the tone arm drops down to the position of Fig. l, the spring H3 is compressed and the tone arm actually enga-ges the stop membei' 35.

En this improved and preferred form of the invention, including the rened structure for locating the needle, the operation previously described is modified as follows: When the cover is up, as shown in Fig, l, the tone arm engages the stop member 85, which stop member is located for the record size to be played. The record is then placed on the turntable and the turntable started rotating by energizing the motor with switch 3l.

The engagement between the needle and the record takes place, as previously described, just before the cover-reaches its final downward position. At the time of the engagement of the needle with the smooth edge of the record, the tone arm has .also moved toward the plate 50 and is supported by the member I 04 by means of its point I in the socket IIIl.

As the cover moves down to its final position, the to-ne arm, being supported by its needle on the smooth part of the record, the stop member i013 has its point |08 lifted from the socket IlIl. The tone arm is now free t'o move in a horizontal plane because 'the point of the member I 04 is out of its socket I'I0, and the only thing holding the tone arm is the friction between the needle and the smooth part of the record.

There being but little friction between the smooth portion of the record and the needle, and this friction being diminished also` by the rotation of a record, the spring I-I3 reacting against the stop member 85, moves the tone arm downward from the position of Fig. 4 or 5, that is, the needle moves laterally from the smooth part of the record into the groove.

The motion of thetone arm under the lnuence of spring II4 continues until the needle engages the iirst groove adjacent the periphery of the record. Thus the present device is adapted to apply the tone arm to the record in the best/ way. No matter how forcibly the cover is lowered or dropped, the needle does not hit the reproducing part of the record, but is rst placed on the smooth part of the record and gently moved over into the flrst groove.

Referring again to the cover-supporting lever tilt, the one shown happens to be the type which drops into a groove in its guide to hold the cover up, as shown in Fig. 12, but any type of coversupporting lever or counter-balanced' cover or spring-supported cover may be used.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an improved phonograph which is of particular I advantage when used by the blind. It is only necessary to lift the cover and change the record and put the cover down again while the turntable motor is still energized, to eifect the playing of a new record. lf it is desired to play a record over again, it is only necessary to lift the cover part way until the tone arm drops over into its proper initial position and to again lower the cover.

The number ci' manual operations in the operation of the phonograph is thus greatly reduced. This is greatly appreciated by users who may be using the phonograph to play dance music and who may wish to proceed from one record to another, or replay a record with a minimum amount of delay. The presentvconstruction is simple and may be manufactured at a low cost, and operates with less damage to phonograph records than the devices of the prior art.

`While have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pattent oi' the UnitedStates, is:

l. In a phonograph, the combination of a sup-l port with a turntable adapted to support a record, a cover lfor the turntable, a tone arm pivotally mounted on said cover whereby the tone arm is moved into engagement with the record when the cover has been lifted, so that the tone arm' moves by gravity from the record-iinishing position to the record-beginning position when the cover is lifted.

2. In a phonograph, the combination of a. support with a turntable adapted to support a record,

mounted on said cover whereby the tone arm is 'moved into engagement with the record when the i cover is lowered above the turntable, said tone arm being moved laterally by the playing of the record and having its point of pivotal mounting on said cover so arranged that it drops by gravity from record-finishing position to record-begin ning position, when the cover is lifted and stop means carried by said cover for locating said tone arm in predetermined position with'respectr to a record, said stop means being movable into two different positions for the purpose of locating the A tone arm to play on records of different size.

.3. In a. phonograph,v the combination of a support with a turntable, a member pivotally mounted above said turntable and adapted to support a. tone arm, said tone arm being provided with a. pick-up, said tone arm being mounted for pivotal movement on an axis which is transverse to the 55 a cover for the turntable, a tone arm pivotally Y l plane of a record carried' by said turntable when said pivotal member is disposed adjacent the turntable, and having its point of pivotal mounting on the cover sc located'that when the cover ,determined position for` the beginning of the record.

4. Ina phonograph, the combination of a support with a turntable, a member pivotally mounted above said turntable and adapted to support a tone arm, said tone arm being provided with a pick-up, said tone arm being mounted for pivotal movement on an axis which is transverse to the plane of a record carried by said turntable when said pivotal member is disposed adjacent the turntable, and having its point of pivotalmounting on the cover so located that when the cover is in lifted position the record-finishing position of the tone arm is above the record-beginning position whereby the tone arm may be lifted by lifting said member from the turntable, said tone arm being adapted to move from record-iinishing position to record-starting position when said member is moved upwardfrom the turntable, and stop means for locating the tone arm in predetermined position for the beginning of the record, said s top means being movable into either of two positions whereby the tone arm may be suitably located for records of different width.

5. In a phonograph, the combination of a support with a turntable and a cover pivotally mounted above said turntable, a tone arm carried by said cover and movably mounted thereon for substantially universal movement, said tone arm havinga' pick-up, and having its free end` and point of pivotal mounting so located that when the cover is in lifted position the tone arm tends Y to drop toward record-beginning position and means for limiting the movement of the tone arm in a direction towardI or' away from said cover, whereby the tone arm is adapted to be lifted with the cover and moved from the recordnishing position to the record-beginning posi-- tion when the cover is lifted.

-6. In a phonograph, the combination of a support with a turntable and a cover movably mountedl above said turntable, a tone armv carried by said cover and pivotally mounted thereon for substantially universal movement, said tone. arm

having a pick-up and vmeans for limiting the movement of the tone arm in a direction toward or away from said cover, said tone arm hav- .ing its point of pivotal mounting on said cover and its free end extending in such a direction that the free end. tends to drop by gravity to recordbeginningy position whereby the tone' arm is to beiifted with the cover and moved by gravity from the record-finishing position to the record-beginning position, when thecover is liftv v ed, and stop means for'limiting the movement, of

mounted above said turntable, a tone armcarried byvsaid cover and pivotally mounted thereon for substantially universal movement, said tone arm havinga pick-up, said tone arm having its point of pivotal mounting Ion said cover and its free end extending in such a direction that the free,

end tends to'drop by gravity to record-beginning position and means for limiting the movement of the tone arm in a direction toward or away from said cover, whereby the tone arm is adapted to be lifted with the cover and moved by gravity from the record-finishing position to the recordbeginning position,when the' cover is lifted, and stop means for limiting the movement of said tone arm by gravity and locating the tone arm in predetermined position for engaging the'record, said latter stop means being located to place the needle on the smooth part of the record adjacent the periphery of the record.

8. In a phonograph, the combination of a support with a turntable and a cover movably mounted above said turntable, a tone arm carried by said cover and pivotally mounted thereon for substantially universal movement, said tone arm having a pick-up, said tone arm having its point of pivotal'mounting on said cover and its free end extending in such a direction that the free end tends to drop by gravity to record-beginning position and means for limiting the movement of the tone arm in a direction tovvardv or away from 'tone arm by gravity and locating the tone arm in predetermined position for engaging the record, said latter stop means being located to place the needle on thesmooth part of the record adjacent the periphery of the record, and resilient means for -moving the tone arm laterally into engagement .with the iirst recording groove when the cover is moved down above the turntable. 9. In a phonograph, `the combinationv of a support with a turntable and a cover movably mounted above said turntable, a tone arm carried by said' cover and pivotally mounted thereon for substantially universal-movement, said tone arm having a pick-up, said tone arm having its point of pivotal mounting on said cover and its free end extending in such a direction that the free end tends to` drop by gravity to record-beginning position and means for limiting the movement of the tone arm in a direction toward or away from said cover,"whereby the tone arm is adaptedto be lifted with the cover and moved by gravity from the record-finishing position to the recordbeginning position, when the cover is lifted, and stop means for limiting thel motion of the tone arm toward or from the cover being so located that when the cover is down inA its final position the tone armv is lifted from one of itsstop members by the engagement of the needlel with the record.

-10. In Aa phonograph, the combination of a support with a turntable and a cover movably mounted above said turntable, a tone arm car'- ried by said cover and'pivotallyA mounted thereon for substantiallyuniversal movement, said tone arm having a pick-up, said tone arm having its point of pivotal mounting on/said cover and its free end vextending in such a direction f that the 'free end tends to drop by gravity to record-beginning position, means for limiting the movementof the tone arm in a direction toward or away from said cover, whereby the tone arm is adapted to be lifted with the cover and moved by gravity from the record-.mushing position to rimosse the reccrdubeginning position, when the cover is lifted, and stop means for limiting the motion of the tone arm toward or from the cover being so located that when, the cover is down in its nal position the tone crm is lifted from one oi its stop means by the engagement oi the needle with the. record, and an. aligning member oar1 ried by the tone arm, and engaging means car ried by the cover and adapted to be rendered in= enective. when the needle engages the record.

ii., .iin e phonograph, the combination oi a support carrying a turntable, a frame member pivotally mounted above said turntable on said support, a tone arm, said tone arm being mount ed on said trame member ior substantially urliversal movement, said tone arm having its' tree end provided with e pickup, said trame member.. having stop means for limiting the lateral pivotal movement of. said tone arm on said frame member and stopping said tone arm in substantially the position tor begin... of a record, said stop means and said universel mounting oi. said tone arm being so located with respect to the pivotal mounting of said trame that the free end o said tone arm is adapted to drop by gravity from the z.' position to the Vrecord-beginning positron when the frame member is moved upward on its pivotal support.

12. ina phonograph, the combination oi a support carrying a turntable, a frame member pivotally mounted above said turntable on said support, a tone arm, said tone arm being mounted on said trame member tor substantially universal movement, said tone arm having its free end provided with a pickup, said i'rame member having stop means for limiting the lateralpivotal movement of mid tone arm on said frame member and stopping said tone arm in substantially the position ior beginning of a record, said stop means and seid universal mounting of said tone arm being so located with respect to the pivotal mounting or said frame that the free end of said tone arm is adapted to drop by gravity from the record-nnishlng position to the record-beginning position when the frame member is moved upward on its pivotal support, said stop means being adjustably mounted for quick change of adjustment from the record-beginning position l of a small record to that of a larger record, or

vice versa.

'13. A tone arm assembly for attachment to existing phonographs, comprising a supporting plate provided with a plurality of attachment posts adapted to be attached to a cover or the like, said posts having means for spacing said plate from a cover or the like, a tone arm pivotally mounted on said plate within the space embraced by said spacing means and plate for movement in a plane substantially parallel to that of the plate and for movement toward and from said plate.

14. A tone arm assembly for attachment to existing phonographs, comprising a supporting plate provided with a' plurality of attachment posts adapted to be attached to af'cover or the like, saidposts having means fori` spacing said plate from a cover or the like, s. tone arm pivotally mounted on saldplate within the space embraced by said spacing means and plate for move--v ment in a plane substantially parallel to thatV of the plate and for movement toward and from said plate, said tone arm' beingA formed with an obtuse angle intermediate its length, whereby a pickup may be mounted for substantially tangential trakin.

into the rst groove when the turntable is started.

i5. A tone arm assembly ier attachment to ex loting phonographs, comprising a supporting plate provided with a plurality oi attachment posts pted to be attached to a cover or the like, said posts ha means ier spacing said plate from a 5 cover or the like, a tone arm pivotally mounted on said plate within the space embraced by said sp means and plate tor movement in a plane substantially parallel to that oi the plate and for movement toward and. from seid plate, and stop means carried by said plate for stopping pivotal motion of said tone erm in a plane substantially parallel to said plate and locating said tone arm in predetermined record-beginning position.

i6. A. tone arm assembly ier attachment to existing phonographs, comprising a supporting plate provided with a plurality or attachment posts adapted to be attached to a cover or the like, said posts having means tor spacing said plate from a cover or the like, a tone arm pivotally mounted on said plate within the space embracedby said spacing means and plate for movement in a plane substantially parallel to that or the plate and for movement toward` and from said plate and stop means carried by said plate for stopping pivotal 25 vfrom a cover or the like, a tone arm pivotally mounted on said plate within the space embraced by said spacing means and plate for movement in a plane substantially parallel to that of the plate and for movement toward and from said plate, and stop means carried by said plate for stopping pivotal motion of said tone arm in a plane substantially parallel to said plate and loa eating said tone arm in predetermined recordbeginning position, and resilient means carried by said assembly and acting betweensaid stop f means and said tone arm, said resilient means being of predetermined strength whereby it does .n not prevent the movement of said tone arminto engagement with said stop means by gravity, but when the tone arm is in engagement with the smooth part of a record, said resilient means, acting betweensaid' stop means and tone'arm, moves u the tone arm into groove-engaging position.-

` 18. A tone arm assembly for attachment to existing phonographs. comprising a supporting plate provided with a plurality of vattachment posts adapted to be attached to a cover or the like, said posts having means for spacing said plate from a cover or the like, a tone arm pivotally mounted on said plate within the space embraced by said spacing means and plate for movement in afplane substantially parallel to that of the plate and for u movement toward and from said plate, and stop means carried by said plate for stopping pivotal motion of said tone arm in a plane substantially parallel to said plate and locating said tone arm in predetermined record-beginning position, said predetermined record-beginning position being on the smooth part of the record before engagement 'with the rst groove, to prevent damage to records, and means for moving the tone arm over nov DALLY. 7" 

